Malik McDowell taken No. 35 overall by Seattle Seahawks in NFL draft

Junior defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) puts pressure on Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) as he attempts to throw a pass during the first quarter of the game against Northwestern on Oct. 15, 2016 at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans were defeated by the Wildcats, 54-40.

The former MSU defensive lineman was drafted in the second round, No. 35 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.

A top-50 high school recruit from Detroit, McDowell joined the Spartans’ roster in 2014, where he played in all 13 games.

In the Spartans’ College Football Playoff run during the 2015 season, McDowell ended his sophomore season second among Spartan defensive lineman with 41 tackles, second on the team in tackles for loss with 13 for 54 yards and was third in sacks with 4.5 for a loss of 38 yards.

The Detroit native was also named recipient of the team’s Outstanding Underclass Lineman Award on defense.

In his final season at MSU, McDowell led the Spartan defensive line with 34 tackles, including a team-high seven tackles for losses in nine games.

McDowell started in eight games in his junior campaign before an ankle injury deterred his season.

Despite the injury, McDowell was given second-team All-American honors by CBS Sports and SI.com in addition to being selected first-team All-Big Ten by The Associated Press and Phil Steele.